Starting gate



July 19, 1938. E. F. WEISHAUPT STARTING'GATE Filed April 9, 1934 5 SheetsSh eet 1 July 19, 1938. E. F. WEQISHIA-IUPT 2,124,325

STARTING GATE Filed April 9, 1954 s sheets-sheet 2f July 19,1938. E. F. WEISHAITJPT I STARTING GATE Filed April 9, .1934

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIIII I Patented July 19, 1938 STARTING GATE Ernest F. WeishauptJChicago, 111., assignor to Bahr Starting Gate Corporation, Chicago, 111.,

a corporation of Illinois I Application April 9, 1934, Serial No. 719,663

agein (01. 119-155) UNITED" sures ,oF'FIcE This inventionrelates to an improved starting gate, and has for one of its principal objects the provision of a starting gate which is principally adapted for use in starting horse races and which fi embodies certain improvements over similar structures now in use.

A further object resides in the provision of improved rotatable or swiveled end supports for the structure, which end sup-ports have the usual wheels mounted thereon and which are further provided with collapsible traction or propelling means on one face and with a fixed partition to outline the end stalls on the other face.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawings and following specification.

"The invention, in a preferred form, is shown in the drawings and hereinafter more fully de-' scribed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the improved starting gate with back stop of this invention, central portions thereof being broken away to indi- 25. cate the fact that the gate may have a variable number of partitions or stalls, and certain of the stalls being shown with the improved-back stops of this invention in position therein,

Figure 2 is a detail view, parts being broken away, showing the construction of one of theimproved stall partitions. Y

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on theline 3-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is an end view, looking in the direction indicated by the line and arrows 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is an enlarged View of a representative portion of the combinedoverhead truss and partition supporting structure.

Figure 8 is an end viewof the device, showing the supporting wheels and brake means, and also Jstructure, portions being omitted.

Figure 10 is a detail View, partly in section, of

the supporting wheel structure with associated traction means, swiveled bearing, stall partition and part of the braking structure all taken onthe l'fline Ill-l0 of Figure 8.

Figure 11 is aside elevation of one of the end partitions as distinguished from one of the intermediate partit'ions sh own in Figure 2.

Figure 12 'isa sectional view taken on the line l2-l2 of Figure 1 1.

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the improved backing stop usedin conjunction with the starting gate of this invention.

Figure 14 is a sectional View taken on the line Hi -l4 of Figure 13.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numeral l5 indicates generally one of the main supports for the improved overhead structure of the starting gate of this invention, the same preferably comprising a pair of angle irons or the like of necessary. contour dimensions and strength.

These are bent at their ends through rightanglecurves as shown at it to provide downwardly extending integral legs'which rest upon platforms [1.

Extending across the top of the device and parallel to the horizontal bars l5 are cooperating supporting bars l8, likewise composed of angle iron or the like, the ends of which are riveted or otherwise attached to the members l5 at points just below the curves I6 as best shown in Figure 1.

obliquely extending uprights l9 are provided having their lower ends mounted on the 'platforms I! and their upper ends fastened to the bar I8 at distances suitably spaced from its ends, and a series of upright, oblique and horizontal truss members 20, 2|, 22, etc. connect the various elements of thestructure in asuitably trussed relationship; the joints being preferably made by means of gusset plates or the like 23 as shown.

As best shown in Figure 8, the pair of trussecl structures are then connected by'means of cross members or braces 24, '25, etc. which are either strap elements or may comprise angle irons as shown at 26. s V

Depending from the elements I8 of this trusse-d overhead structure is a plurality of supports 21, each comprising a set of angle irons-2B tapering toward each other and preferably meeting at the bottom, these being attached to the bars l8 at points below the vertical truss members and secured by rivets or the like to suitable supporting angle irons 29 as best shown in Figure '7.

Fixedly mounted on the lower end of each of the supports 21 isa partition as best shown at 30 in Figure 2, which partition comprises essentially a tubular-framework 3| having welded or otherwise secured thereto a lattice-like structure 32 of strapgiron asfbest' shown in'Figures 2 ends. The

tubular frame elements are attached to the downwardly extending support members 28 by means of U-bolts or the like 33.

The framework 3l32 has an extension built upwardly therefrom, the entire framework and extension being covered with a suitable layer of canvas or the like 34 as best shown in Figure 3, this being suitably reinforced by extra thickness or by cushioning elements, if desired.

The partitions 39 do not entirely reach the ground as best shown in Figure 1, but are high enough to prevent the accidental catching of a horses foot thereunder, while, at the same time,'

they are not high enough to allow of a horse accidentally getting his leg under the same with consequent damage thereto.

Furthermore, each partition is provided with an upper extension likewise covered with the canvas or coating 34 and which is outlined along the greater portion of its upper edge by means of a horizontal bar 36 which joins the supporting elements 28 (Figure 2), and thence, by means of a sloping bar 3'! extending forwardly of the apparatus, the rear end being rounded off as illustrated at 38 in Figure 2.

The lower portions of the tubular frame elements 3| are connected with each other and with the ends of the support elements 28 by means of bolts or the like 38 passing therethrough as best shown in Figure 6. a

The partitions are all of such height and lateral dimensions as to adequately accommodate and protect a horse and also the jockey, particularly the legs of the latter, inwardly extending shelves 39 being provided for the reception of the legs and feet of the jockey in the event that a horse brushes too close against one or the other of the partitions.

The end platforms l1 are mounted on swiveled supports 46 with suitable roller bearings 4| therebetween (Figure 10), and these supports are, in turn, mounted on I-beams 42 to which are connected the usual angle irons 43 and brace elements 44.

Mounted below the I-beam and brace elements is an axle 45 which supports the wheels 46, these wheels preferably being provided with suitable rubber tires or the like whereby the device can be readily moved from place to place. A suitable king bolt or the like 4'! is provided for allowing desired turning of thevsupporting tables 49 beneath the platforms IT.

The outwardly extending angle irons 43 have mounted thereon end partition members 48 (Figures l, 10 and 11) which are of a slightly different shape than the partition elements 30, but are covered with the usual canvas or other cushioned protecting material, these end partitions being preferably composed of suitable tubular framelike elements 49 and welded or otherwise secured to vertically extending angle irons 59 riveted or otherwise attached to the horizontally extending angle irons 43 (Figure 10). These partitions 48 are of such length and dimensions and their distance from the central pivoting bolt 41 of the end supports is such that the wheels may be swung through an arc of more than 180, if desired, with sufficient clearance between the ends of these partition elements 41 and the next adjacent partition elements 39 (Figure 1).

Each partition has therein an opening (Fig. ures 2, 11 and 12), all of these openings being aligned, and into any opposed two of these openings is adapted to be fitted 'a collapsible backing stop as best illustrated in Figure 13. These backing stops are preferably composed of two suitably sized lengths of wood or the like 52 and 53 joined at their middle by means of a hinge or the like 54.

A channel iron 55 is fixed by means of bolts or the like 56 to the element 52 and has half of its length contacting the element 53 so that the entire structure can be collapsed or broken at its middle in one direction, but is proof against such collapsing or breaking in the other direction.

These backing stops 5253 are of suficient length to fit comfortably into two opposed holes 5| and are provided with stops 5'! composed of short pieces of angle iron or the like fastened thereto at desired distances from their ends. These stops contact with the faces of the partitions 39-41 when the backing stops themselves are placed in position.

The backing stops are inserted in the gate, preferably behind those horses who show a tendency to back out of the same while the preparations for the race are in progress, the stops being inserted in such a manner that backing of the horses against the same will not cause collapse thereof and will, therefore, effectively prevent any undesirable movement of the horses rearwardly from the gate. The horses are trained not to run out of the gate in a forward direction until the starting bell rings, and inasmuch as the bars 52-53 prevent their backing out of the stalls, the lining up of the horses for a race is rendered much simpler and easier, and the resultant start is accomplished much more expeditiously and accurately.

As best shown in Figure 10, the axle 45 is attached or otherwise fastened to the metal support 42 by means of U-bolts or the like 58, and disposed in conjunction with the axle is a set of brake operating rods 59, 69 and 6!. (Figure 9.)

The rod 59 is pivoted in outwardly extending supports 62 mounted on the axle and is adapted to be rotated in these supports by means of a brake lever or the like 63, the lower end of this brake lever extending beyond the pivotal point 59 and having attached thereto a cable or the like 64, the middle part of which passes through an eye 65 in the end of the rod, and the outer ends of which are attached to the corresponding brake rods 60 and 6| respectively. These rods are mounted in suitable supports 56 and extend into the brake drums 61 wherein they operate the usual brake shoes somewhat as shown in United States Patent No. 1,214,713 granted to Morgan Potter on February 6, 1917, or United States Patent No. 1,552,992 granted to H. W. Lavigne on September 8, 1925.

The cord or cable 64' provides for an equalizing of the brake action on the respective wheels whereby the same are both locked with equal force.

A forwardly extending tongue or coupling element 68 is pivotally mounted at 59 on the truck 42-44 so as to be readily dropped down out of the way into the dotted line position shown in Figure when the same is not in use. Aligned openings 10 are provided in the tongue and the web 44 through which a locking pin may be passed to retain the coupling in upper operating position when desired. The main purpose for dropping the tongue 68 is to allow of'the starting of a horse or horses from outside the gate in the event that more horses are entered in a race than can be accommodated in the gate.

Various parts of they device may be protected by padding or cushioning as, for example, the supports 28 for the partitions and also any crossbracing or other structure which might possibly be contacted by either the horse or jockeys. However, this. padding and also the covering of the various partitions is so designed as not to interfere with a clear view of the horses and jockeys through the gate from one end to the other, so that both the starters and the spectators generally can, at all times, be apprised of the existing conditions.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A starting gate, having wheeled end supports, a turn-table in each support, an overhead structure connecting the supports, intermediate stall partitions depending from the overhead structure, and an end stall partition mounted on the rotatable portion of each turn-table.

2. A starting gate, including end supports, a wheeled turn-table for each end support, an overhead structure connecting the end supports, intermediate stall partitions depending from the overhead structure, and endstall partitions mounted on the wheeled turn-tables, said end stall partitions being adapted to rotate therewith.

ERNEST F. WEISHAUPT. 

